Aircraft Exterior Detailing
Aircraft exterior cleaning and detailing for private, charter and corporate aircraft across Chicago-area airports. Our exterior services include rinseless aircraft washing, targeted belly and engine degreasing, full-fuselage cleaning and surface protection, with scope selected for the aircraft's finish, condition, access and turnaround requirements. Mobile service at DuPage (DPA), Chicago Executive (PWK), Midway (MDW), O'Hare (ORD), Aurora (ARR), Waukegan (UGN), and Gary/Chicago (GYY).
Benefits of Professional Aircraft Exterior Detailing
Aviation detailing goes far beyond aesthetics. Consistent exterior cleaning protects your aircraft's surfaces, supports presentation, and ensures every departure makes the right impression.
Corrosion & Oxidation Prevention
Regular exterior detailing removes corrosive exhaust deposits, hydraulic fluid, and environmental contaminants before they damage paint and bare metal surfaces.
Contamination & Buildup Removal
Routine exterior care removes exhaust residue, hydraulic contamination, insects and environmental buildup while helping preserve the aircraft's finish and presentation.
Pre-Sale & Showing Presentation
Exterior detailing can improve aircraft presentation before photography, showings, appraisals or a sales process by addressing contamination, oxidation, dull finishes and neglected brightwork.
Rinseless, Low-Runoff Process
Our rinseless process is designed to minimize water use and runoff. Service procedures are adapted to airport, FBO, hangar and environmental requirements at the work location.
Rapid Turnaround Times
Express exterior washes completed in 1–2 hours, full details in 3–4 hours. We work around your flight schedule — not the other way around.
Professional Image & Client Confidence
For charter operators and corporate flight departments, a meticulously detailed exterior signals operational excellence. First impressions begin on the ramp, not in the cabin.
Preparing for a Sale, Showing or Appraisal?
Exterior detailing can improve aircraft presentation before photography, showings, appraisals or a sales process by addressing contamination, oxidation, dull finishes and neglected brightwork. We work with owners and brokers across the Chicago area to schedule exterior prep around showings and photography.
Learn about pre-sale aircraft detailing and presentationChoose Your Aircraft Exterior Cleaning & Detailing Level
Two service tiers designed for different operational needs: a maintenance-level aircraft wash and a comprehensive exterior detail. Both use our rinseless aircraft washing process — encapsulating chemistry designed to minimize water use and runoff and suited to hangar work — with purified, mineral-free water when water is required.
Exterior Wash
Express Wash
Essential exterior care focused on high-visibility areas. Ideal for regular maintenance between comprehensive details or quick turnaround requirements.
What's Included
- Rinseless wash: nose, windshield, leading edges (wings + engine inlets)
- Degrease visible leaks and spots
- Wipe access doors, luggage doors, and panels (fingerprints/smudges)
- Final inspection + photos
Not Included (Available Separately)
- Full fuselage wash
- Belly degrease
- Landing gear detail
- Wax/sealant application
- Brightwork polishing
- High stabilizers (quote lift separately)
Full Exterior Detail
Wash + Degrease + Protect
Complete exterior restoration covering every surface from nose to tail. Includes full degreasing, landing gear care, and protective sealant application.
What's Included
- Everything in Exterior Wash, PLUS:
- Full fuselage wash (top-down, front-to-back)
- Complete wing wash (top, bottom, flaps)
- Belly degrease: spray, wipe with ONR towel, follow with dry towel
- Engine degrease (exhaust & APU area)
- Landing gear cleaning + tire dressing (satin finish, not on tread)
- DA polisher for stubborn grease buildup
- Sealant application (Jescar Power Lock or equivalent)
Not Included (Available Separately)
- De-ice boot treatment (available as add-on)
- Brightwork polishing (separate service)
- Advanced surface restoration (separate service)
- Ceramic coating (separate service)
- Acid-based wheel cleaners on landing gear
Exterior Add-On Services
Enhance your exterior service with these specialized treatments.
Standalone Degrease
Targeted degreasing for belly, landing gear, exhaust, and APU areas. Includes DA polisher with finishing pad for stubborn buildup.
Most common reason aircraft get called in. Before/after belly photos are high-value client touchpoint.
Brightwork Metal Polishing
Metal polish on eligible bare leading edges with proper taping of painted surfaces. Complete wash/degrease after to remove polish residue.
High labor intensity. Kicks up residue — must wash after.
Learn about aircraft brightwork polishingWindow Polishing & Scratch Removal
This is not window cleaning — it's mechanical scratch removal. Using a DA polisher with an orange pad and compounds selected for compatible aviation acrylic and polycarbonate window materials, we buff out haze, scuffs, and surface scratches to restore optical clarity — subject to aircraft/window limitations and existing coatings.
NEVER on coated windows — polishing removes aviation coatings permanently. Printed edge restrictions are checked before every job. Extreme caution on pressurized windows.
De-Ice Boot Care & Conditioning
Cleaning, conditioning and protective treatment for eligible pneumatic de-ice boots, selected according to the installed boot material and applicable aircraft or boot-manufacturer instructions.
For aircraft equipped with eligible pneumatic boots; configuration confirmed before service.
Learn about aircraft de-ice boot care & conditioningAviation Safety Protocols
Our exterior detailing adheres to strict aviation safety standards:
- Rinseless dry wash designed to minimize water use and runoff; procedures adapted to airport, FBO, hangar and environmental requirements at the work location
- NEVER pressure wash — rinseless wash ONLY
- Static ports, sensor holes, antennas, de-ice openings cannot be flooded
- NEVER use acid-based wheel cleaners on landing gear
- Purified, mineral-free water when water is required
- All equipment secured on ramp — jet blast blows unsecured items into engines
- FOD sweep and tool count after every job
Aircraft Types We Detail Exteriors
Airframe shape, paint system, and surface material each affect how an exterior is cleaned and detailed. Our Chicago exterior detailing crews adapt the approach accordingly — from a Citation's composite belly to a Global's full-length fuselage.
Light Jets
Citation CJ2 / CJ3 / CJ4, Phenom 100 / 300, HondaJet, Eclipse 500
Compact fuselages — belly degreasing, leading edge exhaust stain removal, radome care
Midsize Jets
Citation XLS / XLS+, Learjet 45 / 75, Hawker 800 / 900XP, Praetor 500
Mid-length fuselages — multi-panel wash, thrust reverser cleaning, APU exhaust zones
Super-Midsize Jets
Citation Sovereign / Latitude, Challenger 350, Praetor 600, Gulfstream G280
Extended wingspans — landing gear degreasing, wing root detailing, full belly wash
Heavy / Large-Cabin Jets
Challenger 601 / 604 / 650, Gulfstream GIV / GV / G450, Falcon 900 / 2000
Large airframes — nacelle degreasing, full belly degrease, engine inlet polishing
Ultra-Long-Range Jets
Gulfstream G550 / G650 / G700, Global 5000 / 6000 / 7500, Falcon 7X / 8X
Full-length fuselage wash — multi-stage decontamination, precision masking for painted trim
Turboprops & King Airs
King Air 200 / 250 / 350, Pilatus PC-12, TBM 850 / 960, Caravan
Prop-driven considerations — propeller hub cleaning, exhaust trail removal, de-ice boot care
Don't see your aircraft? We service a wide range of private, charter and corporate aircraft; the listed aircraft are representative examples. Contact us for aircraft-specific scope and access requirements.
Exterior Detailing at Your Airport
Mobile service available at your hangar or FBO
Exterior Detailing Case Studies
Cessna Citation X · AZO
Cessna Citation X Exterior Wash and Interior Detail at Kalamazoo (KAZO)
View Case Study
Bombardier Challenger 300 · PWK
Challenger 300 High-Priority Turnaround at Chicago Executive Airport
View Case Study
Piper Arrow · DPA
Piper Arrow Trainer Exterior Degrease and Paint Condition Documentation at DuPage Airport
View Case StudyCombine With Related Services
One-Step Paint Correction
Go beyond washing — machine polish restores gloss, reduces oxidation, and brings back visual clarity to tired paint.
Learn MoreCeramic Coating
Lock in that freshly detailed finish with long-term System X ceramic protection.
Learn MoreInterior Detailing
Complete the full aircraft reset — pair your exterior wash with a cabin deep-clean, carpet extraction, and seat conditioning.
Learn MoreGet your custom exterior detailing quote today. Professional aircraft wash and protection on the ramp or in the hangar.
Google Reviews
Trusted by Aircraft Owners Across Chicago
“The Polished Hare goes above and beyond when it comes to taking care of their clients and their aircraft. They are reliable, professional, and take great pride in the quality of work they do. They don't take any short cuts and the results are nothing short of showroom quality.”
Kevin Rodriguez
Google Review
“Excellent service, professionalism, and attention to detail. The aircraft looked spotless, and the team was reliable, responsive, and easy to work with throughout the process. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality aircraft cleaning services.”
Alejandro Navarro Guitz
Google Review
“Michael provides outstanding service and consistently demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail. He takes the time to ensure everything is completed thoroughly and accurately, making the entire experience seamless.”
Celestino Martinez
Google Review
“I've seen several aircraft Polished Hare Aviation Detailing has completed, and the quality of their work really stands out. Clean finishes, sharp attention to detail, and consistently professional results. You can tell they take pride in every job. Highly recommend.”
Anthony Ebert
Google Review
“The Polished Hare Aviation Detailing did an outstanding job cleaning the interior of my plane. Every surface was spotless. Looked brand new. Very professional — I highly recommend them to anyone needing quality aircraft detailing.”
Brandon
Google Review
“I recommend Polished Hare for professional and consistent performance. My Cessna feels fresh and restored to its previous glory!”
Isaax Florence
Google Review